Master AT, ON, IN with the TRIANGLE method

TRANSCRIPT

Hi. I'm Rebecca from engVid. By the end of this lesson you will learn how to use three of the most confusing prepositions in English, and they are: "at", "on", and "in", as applied to time. Now, if you think you're alone in having problems with these little words, you are not alone. Many students have difficulty with these words because they're different in their native languages and probably in yours. Right? So, what do you do? Well, keep watching because I have found a solution which has helped many of my students, and I think it will help you, and that is by using a pyramid or a triangle-okay?-to learn these three important words. Let's see how it works.

So, like the triangle: "at" is used in very specific situations, very narrow situations. For example: "At 5:00", "At 12:30", "At midnight", right? It's very exact. It's very narrow. "On", like the triangle, is a little bit broader and it's used for one day or one date. For example: "On Monday", or "On January 25th", "On New Year's Day". Right? Got it? Are you with me? Good. Let's continue. Now, "in" is the widest of the lot, as you can see, like in the triangle; "at", "on", "in". So, "in" covers things like months, seasons, years, decades, centuries, and any kind of long period. For example, we say in English: "In July", "In summer" or "In the summer", "In 2005", "In the 1960s", "In the 1800s", which was a long time ago, or: "In the past". We can also say: "In the future", okay? Because it's also a long period of time. Did you get that? So: "at" for very narrow situations; "on" for little bit wider, one day or one date-right?-and "in" for the widest situations of all, more than one day or one date. Now, let's do a little practice to see how well you've understood this.

Okay, now let's fill in the blanks with our three words: "at", "on", and "in". But before we fill them in here, let's fill them in on our triangle. So, do you remember: What goes at the top, what's very narrow and covers a very specific time? "At", very good. What's a little bit more than that, covering one day or one date? "On", very good. And what's the widest of the lot, covering months, and seasons, and years, and decades, and centuries? "In", okay? You've got it. Now let's apply what we've learned, because otherwise there's no point, so let's do it.

So:
"_______ 6:00."
What do we say? Do you remember? "At 6:00." Excellent.

"_______ Sunday."
One day, right? "On Sunday." Very good.

"_______ winter."
What do we say? It's a long period of time, especially in Canada where I live, okay? So: "In winter." We can also say: "In the winter." Same thing.

And:
"_______ Independence Day."
It's one day, so we need to say: "On Independence Day." Okay? Very Good.

Now let's continue to some sentences, because that's how you actually use the language. Number five:
"See you _______ noon."
"See you..." Now, what's "noon"? "Noon" means 12 o'clock in the afternoon, it's a precise, exact time, so we say: "See you at noon." Very good.

Number six:
"I'll call you _______ Friday."
"I'll call you on Friday." Very good, because it was one day.

Next one:
"We have a meeting _______ 4:30."
"We have a meeting", specific time, which one? "...at 4:30". Very good.

And the last one:
"They're getting married _______ March 9th."
It's one day, okay? One date. So, it is this one: "They're getting married on March 9th." Okay?

[kimberlyhendrick]

I'm glad I came across your video. I'm a cancer survivor. the many variations of chemotherapy has given me "chemo brain" I've forgotten the simplest of things. I'm 55 and getting to learn all over again! Thank you for your generosity in making available these lessons. God bless!

[engvidRebecca]

Prepositions are always a challenge. I respect the time, money, and effort each of you invests in improving your English and always look for ways to smarten and shorten your learning path. Thanks so much for subscribing, sharing, and leaving comments. My warmest wishes to each of you.

[anisul-islam]

brilliant one :) I really admire your teaching style. you are keeping an effect to this mankind.

[questionable]

I got 10/10 on my English test, Rebecca, I'm amazed that you are an effective teacher I appreciate the fact you are teaching us right now, thank you!

[haziqshaukat]

I wish my teacher taught me like this in school. Thank you so much.

[alexalves]

Aprendi em 7 minutos o que eu não entendia em 7 meses. Muito obrigado

[salmael-amin]

I immensely appreciate it Rebecca!! Prepositions has always been a challenge for me but you just made it so straightforward! Thankyou for opening our minds for new possibilities, we will forever be grateful and continue to do this amazing job.

[ntfi]

Dear Rebecca,
Thank you very much for your kindness teaching in all different English lessons which I have enjoyed so much. I am 63 years old and I need to work.
Once again thank you with respect
Alice

[whatevergoesforme]

I speak English as a second language and learned the grammar rules in school since elementary. The only way I was able to differentiate these prepositions is by reading English literature and other written materials so I was able to get more exposure to the English language. I also like watching English films and listening to English songs.

[sandrae.sanchiz]

Congratulations!!!! And Thank you very much! Nobody has explained like this these prepositions!!! ❤🤗❤🤗

[immortalfirefly]

how i wish you tube tutorials like this existed right before our highschool days, i'm hungry for knowledge and i admit i didn't learn a lot back in highschool days so im learning for more to develop myself, thanks!

[eglantinacabiatti]

My English is ESL ...I learned it in Canada while living there ( ages ago...). At that time I had great teachers.... but you are " OUT OF THIS WORLD" 😃...Many Thanks from Argentina...🇦🇷

[Nightcrawler]

You are a super teacher and a gifted human being. I love your teaching style.
Please keep teaching us.

May God bless you and protect you.

I am 65 years of age and a single father raising two 8&10 year old boys. Madam! I am still learning from you Everyday. You are a sea of wisdom and knowledge.

[RAMAKRISHNAN]

I never thought this was that much easier to understand. I have watched so many videos for this. But eventually I came here, and now I'm done; I'm pretty sure this time it'll never be forgotten forever. I'm really grateful to you. Thank you so much. with love 💓💕

[athingd]

I have nothing to give you but just my sincere appreciation 'Thank you so much', it's awesome. Love you and God bless you

[cristopherjohnson]

Excelllent way to explain the class, I learned well at last! I appreciate a lot you help us to understand better the english language .keep doing a great job.

[nazneensultana]

Madam I'm following your lessons for two weeks, It helps me a lot. Your teaching style is simply brilliant.I wish if I got teacher like you in my childhood!

[jillbreynerga]

Esta señora solucionó mi mayor confusión durante 22 años de vida, en 7 minutos. Gracias señora 🙏

[valeriewijeyesekera]

Thank you Rebecca. That's a great way to teach prepositions of time. Easy to understand and explain. God bless you.

[SafetyForum]

Madam I am also a youtuber but from different expertise. I must say that you are teaching skills are exceptionally good.. 👍Thanks for your efforts and contributing so much to the society.